Although consensual same-sex sexual relationships in female prisons have been a topic of scholarly discourse, it has received little attention in African countries, and South Africa is no exception. Consensual same-sex sexual relationships between females in African prisons have received little attention by researchers since studies on prison sex in Africa tend to focus on the sexual relationships between male prisoners, particularly the coercive nature of such relationships. Drawing on the retrospective narratives of six female former prisoners, this study examines the consensual nature of same-sex sexual relationships in South African female prisons. One of the findings of this study suggests that consensual same-sex sexual relationships in South African female prisons are pervasive. It was reported that the motivations for female prisoners' engagement in consensual sexual relationships with other females in prison are the desire to satisfy material, sexual, and emotional needs, as well as, the desire for friendship and companionship.

The aim of this study was exploring the prevalence of obesity and to determine the factors associated with obesity among male out-patients in Thailand. In a cross-sectional survey consecutive male out-patients from four district hospitals in Nakhon Pathom Province in Thailand were assessed with various measures, including anthropometric measurements. The sample included 2190 study participants, with a mean age of 36.2 years (SD=11.7), range 18-60 years. Results indicate that more than one-third (38.0%) of the participants were considered BMI obesity (≥25 kg/m2), 6.8% were underweight, 37.1% normal weight, 18.1% overweight, 29.1% obese class I, and 8.9% obese class II; the mean BMI was 24.8 kg/m2. In multivariate logistic analysis, being employed, having a higher income, having diabetes and/or hypertension, short sleep duration and not being a moderate or high alcohol user was associated with obesity. As a conclusion, a high prevalence and several risk factors of obesity were found among hospital male outpatients.

Risk-taking behaviour leading to critical accidents and deaths is widespread and a social problem world-wide among adolescents. The interplay of gender, school grade levels and PEN scores on risk-taking behaviour are mixed, without a research pattern and inconclusive hence this study anchored on the hypotheses that males and low graders will score higher on PEN and also engage in high risk behaviour than females and high graders respectively. Using a cross-sectional research design, four hundred and ninety one (491) participants were selected through simple random sampling from a High School in near Ventersdorp in South Africa. The sample consisted of 225 ♂ and 239 ♀ adolescents between 16 to 18 years. Data was collected using the EPQ-R short version scale and the Youth Risk Taking Behaviours Questionnaire. The findings of the study showed that there was a statistically significant difference for N, t (443) = 4.06, p< .000 with males (♂s) scoring higher than females (♀s), (x = 6.00 versus x = 5.06) and a significant difference for L, t (443) = -3.88, p< .000 with ♀s scoring higher than ♂s, (x = 10.07 versus x = 8.56). In addition, the t-test also showed ♀s scoring higher on risk-taking behaviour than ♂s, t (256) = -6.30 p< .000 (x = 145.96 versus x = 165.68). However,there were no significant differences between ♂s and ♀s. for P and E. In addition, 10th graders (x = 156.85, SD= 31.49) averagely engaged in more risk-taking behaviours than 11th (x = 147.15, SD= 19.91) and 12th graders (x = 155.90, SD= 21.92). Some conclusions were highlighted based on the results from the study and recommendations made in light of the study outcomes.

Due to the performance-based demands and competitive work-environment, employees experience high levels of stress. Organizations, world-wide, have established Employee Wellness Programmes (EWPs) to ease the work-pressure syndromes and offer medical/therapeutic services to employees. The article aims to explore the spiritual wellness element of EWPs and assess its influence on employees' behaviour and work performance/ productivity levels. The study employed a qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews to collect data from thirty one (n=31) respondents. The data was content-analysed. Thestudy adds value to the limited research undertaken on workplace alternative therapies as part of EWP. Significant opinions were received regarding the imperativeness of alternative therapies. The findings suggest that alternative therapies are life-changing, in every way, physically and emotionally, leading to enhanced work productivity.

This conceptual article, framed around Marxism, highlighted the fact that, over time, African women have persistently questioned the ways in which understandings of culture have both valued and devalued them. Relying on the experience of women in some randomly selected African countries - South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana, this research shows clearly that the space of women as members of the household and at a macro level is shaped by an existing culture to which they must confine their lives. Also, culture, as shown in this research, is deeply contextualised and highly contested. As such, their transformability, through questioning, is fundamental to policy formulation and implementation.

The scathing discrepancies of situating select novels within the confines of coming of- age genres remain to be resolved. The textual and thematic discovery and criticism of many such so associated novels predates the invention of the Xitsonga written literature, yet it underpins the basic tenets of most of this language's thematic trajectory. Most deliberations in line with this area of study centres upon a rather tiresome question on whether or not such makes of literary genre does sentially exist in real novelic writings, or they only exist in the abstract minds of critical literarians. The paper endeavours to give a critique of F.A. Thuketana's Ndzi Ngo Tinciki (a Xitsonga novel) by setting a juxtaposition of its female character, Manayila, and how she attains 'development' from all its necessary and possible angles, with the literary features that characterise the Coming-of-Age novels. Part of the discussion shall focus on some of the social setbacks and motivations that attend to both the female and male makes of such literary genus. Thus, the social and ethnic binarist divisions, interpretations and dimensions of gender treatment shall be core in an attempt to fully bring to the fore, the novel's literary arena.

This study was designed to assess use of Modern Contraceptive Use (MCP) among Sexually Active Teenagers and Young Adults (SATYA) as well as its determinants. We used a secondary data collected during the 2012 National HIV&AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS Plus II 2012) in Nigeria. The cross-sectional and nationally representative survey adopted four-stage cluster sampling design. Bivariate and multiple binary logistic regression were used for data analysis at 5% level of significance. Females SATYA living in urban areas had higher odds of current use of MCP than those living in rural areas (OR=1.62(1.32-1.99)). The odds of current use of MCP among males that had sexual initiation between age 15 and 19 years and those that had it after age 20 years reduced by 21% and 36% respectively compared to males that were initiated before attaining age 15 years. The odds of using MCP currentlyamong both males and females SATYA increased with higher economic status and educational attainment but more pronounced among females. Current use of contraceptive is general low among the youths but much lower among females than males who need it most. Although total abstinence from all sexual contact remains the surest way to avoid sexually related diseases and early child bearing as well as unwanted pregnancies, stakeholders should re-energize efforts towards use of contraception among sexually active teenagers and young adults.

The term "sugar daddies" is widely known, society is familiar with the idea but not familiar with the phenomenon and one may argue that it is a practice that is acceptable in many communities and yet, the reason for being associated with a"sugar daddy" is seldom questioned. This paper examines the phenomenon of "sugar daddies" within a Higher Education institution. The reason why students engage with "sugar daddies", do sugar daddies exist at institutions of Higher Education and are "sugar daddies" responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The aim of the study was to estimate associations between dietary behaviour, chronic conditions and health variables among male out-patients in central Thailand. As part of a survey of male adult patients conducted in the waiting area of4 district hospitals in Nakhon Pathom province, a questionnaire on behaviour, chronic conditions and other health variables was administered to 2208 study participants mean age 36.2 (SD=11.7), range 18-60 years. Results indicate that 18.9% reported eating at least once fast food in a week. Sweet drinks were consumed three times or more daily, while high-fat snacks and desserts or sweets were consumed three or more times a week by 13.2% and 18.4%, respectively. About half (52.6%) of the participants reported eating three or more servings of fruits or vegetables per day, and 57.4% had fewer than three lean protein meals in a week. Multivariate linear regression found that younger (15-34 years) male outpatients, those with secondary education, never having married, not having hypertension, having gout and other musculoskeletal conditions such as chronic backache and having anxiety symptoms was associated with poor dietary behaviour. Male hospital out-patients presented with a number of chronic disease risk factors, including poor dietary behaviour, which should be targeted for nutrition education.

This present study examined age and gender as factors of test anxiety among undergraduates from two universities in Nigeria. A total of 281 randomly selected participants participated in the study and they responded to the 20-item Suinn test anxiety behavior scale. For analysis of data the t-test for independent samples was used and results suggested that age and gender do not significantly predict test anxiety among undergraduates. It is therefore concluded that other variables apart from demographics may account for test anxiety among undergraduates in Nigeria. More research would need to be done in this area in order to ascertain the factors that may predict test anxiety among undergraduates in Nigeria and thereby provide empirical basis for intervention to help the test-anxious.

Prison, as place is a micro-cosm of the normative regulation and discipline of gendered and sexual bodies. The discipline and surveillance of men and same sex desire involves the re/production and circulation of discourses of heterosexuality and hegemonic masculinities, in particular. Heterosexual masculinity is circulated as the primary form of male sexual practice, even in an all-male environment such as prison. Not necessarily because it is but rather because the maintenance of hegemonic masculinity requires it. In this paper I explore the disruption of regulatory boundaries of the body that clearly define heterosexual in opposition to homosexual and examine the function of prison as carceral space in the constitution of masculinity and male, same sex desire. It will examine the sexual practices and performances of incarcerated sex offenders in three South Africa prisons and it is based on focus groups and individual interviews which were the basis of a larger research project.

Gender performativity, substance use and dependency are bed rocked within the family system. Since hookah pipe smoking, worldwide, has become a family past time, people's knowledge, use and perceptions of the hookah are now ripe for analysis. This study investigated the gendered perceptions of substance use, the hookah pipe being the primary substance under investigation. The study was undertaken with 837 rural and urban families in Belhar and Worcester in the Western Cape, South Africa. This paper aims to answer the research question : "what are the gender differences in hookah and other substance use within the family"? This project used a quantitative research framework within a cross-sectional and descriptive survey design. Data was analysed using the Statistical Program for Social Science (SPSS). Coherent with Social Learning Theory, results infer that children model parental addictive behaviours. Results indicate that the hookah pipe is a gateway drug, as participants appear to use the hookah pipe with other substances like marijuana and alcohol. This research could provide information for prevention and intervention programmes with families in South Africa.

The pursuit of transitional justice has been ongoing in Zimbabwe since pre-colonial times. A plethora of mechanisms and institutions have been used to seek redress and reconciliation in both conflict and post conflict times. The adaptation of Roman Dutch law in Zimbabwe saw these traditional methods such as ngozi assuming an inferior role in the country's justice system. This article narrates the case of Moses Chokuda who was murdered in a case of politically motivated violence in Gokwe District in Zimbabwe in 2008. His case presents a propitious opportunity for two aspects; the analysis of everyday grassroots transitional justice mechanisms at work and the evaluation of their efficacy in comparison with prosecutorial transitional justice in the absence of the rule of law. Moses' case was dealt with concurrently by the traditional mechanism of ngozi and the modern prosecutorial courts. For more than three years Moses practically 'refused to be buried'. His family was adamant that Moses will only be buried when they receive compensation from his murderers, their incarceration notwithstanding. The article notes the need for ngozi to be officially recognized as complimentary to the formal justice system in post colonies like Zimbabwe. This implies the necessity of a greater focus on how ngozi is specifically being used as a transitional justice mechanism and how its use shapes personal and political decisions. The aim of this analysis is to demonstrate that traditional mechanisms, operating in a context of legal and political impunity, still make a contribution to transitional justice.

The objectives of this study were - to find out gender, age and educational level differences in life satisfaction, positive and negative emotions and strengths of character among elderly and to find out inter-correlations among the variables. Three scales measuring - life satisfaction, positive and negative affectivity and strengths of character were administered to 134 elderly people from Pune, India. Their average age was 71.72 years. Results showed no gender differences on any variables. Mean scores of highly educated elderly on life satisfaction were significantly greater than those of less educated. Positive affectivity was found to be significantly greater among older elderly as compared to young elderly. Experience of negative emotions was found to be significantly less among older elderly as compared to young elderly. Correlations among variables were computed and discussed.

The study analyzed the factors influencing young girls' productivity in Taraba State Nigeria. A total of 130 Female Sex Workers (FSW) were selected through purposive sampling techniques and served with a structured interview schedule. Informed consent was received from the FSW and the data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of the analysis showed that 96.16% of the respondents were within the age range of ≤ 20 to 39 years, were young and in their economically active age. Respondents joined the business as early as 21 years and attended to up to 20 customers in a day and are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infection (STIs), HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Also, 61.60% attained one form of formal education or the other. Regression analysis showed that 82.88 % of the variations in respondents' involvement as FSW were explained by the variables included in the model. The estimated coefficients for age, knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other STIs, had significant but inverse relationship with involvement as FSW while substance use and abuse was statistically significant at 1% probability level. It is however recommended that increasing awareness on the risk of the business will enhance their production efficiency in Agriculture and other business.

Presently, there is no available logotherapeutic model for understanding the experiences of persons in crises, specifically the victims of sexual assault in Nigeria. The paper first reviewed the literature on some of the available models : equilibrium, cognitive and psychosocial transition. The author has added the existential/logotherapeutic model to literature and based on this model subsequently developed a technique in order to better identify the condition of victims of sexual assault to quickly pave the way for suitable therapy. The paper concluded that when compared with other models, the logotherapeutic model is effective for better understanding and as an intervention strategy in practice for logotherapists and nonlogotherapists.

This study examined the differences in the performance of emotional labour (deep acting and surface acting) among male and female nurses in Osun State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and sixty six respondents participated in the study. The participants were randomly selected from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife and Osun State General Hospital, Osogbo both in Osun State, Nigeria. A standardized scale, Emotional Labour Scale (ELS), was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using the independent sample t-test.Results showed a statistically significant difference in the performance of emotional labour among nurses in Osun state [t (164) = 2.020, p < 0. 05]. Male nurses were found to display higher levels of emotional labour (N=72, X =66.14, SD=7.40) than those of their female counterparts (N=94, X =63.51, SD=9.36). It further showed that there was a significant difference in the experience of surface acting among male and female [t (164) = 2.57, p < 0. 05]. Male nurses reported higher mean (N=72,X =34.47, SD=4.95) of surface acting than the female nurses (N=94, X =32.32, SD=5.84). This result indicates that male nurses are more likely to regulate their emotions through surface acting than female nurses. However, there was nostatistical significant difference in the experience of deep acting among male and female nurses. The study concluded that a significant gender difference in the performance of emotional labour among nurses in Osun state. Male nurses engage more in surface acting than the female nurses.

The prevalence of sexual assault in Nigeria is alarming. This paper highlighted the meaning of sexual assault in the society. It reviewed the literature on the stigmatization associated with sexual assault as well as cultural differences on the subject. It also explained the development of some logotherapeutic strategies such as a three step model on counseling, therapy for the victims of such assault, the Frankl mountain range and other useful techniques. The paper concluded with the conviction that Health Care Providers would find those strategies as effective interventions for victims of sexual assault in Nigeria and elsewhere.